Rob Corddry

Initially recognized for his work as a smart-aleck reporter on a fictional news program, comedic actor Rob Corddry went on to impress audiences in a variety of roles, both on television and in feature films. After making his television debut with several guest spots on the improv comedy series "Upright Citizens Brigade" (Comedy Central, 1998-2000), the Massachusetts native grabbed considerable attention as a smarmy, inept correspondent on the Emmy-winning satirical news program "The Daily Show" (Comedy Central, 1996- ) under the guidance of Jon Stewart.

During his four-year tenure on the popular "news" program, Corddry made forays into feature films in such vehicles as the Will Ferrell collegiate comedy "Old School" (2003) before briefly venturing out on his own as the star of the short-lived, Seth McFarlane-produced sitcom "The Winner" (Fox, 2007). Corddry had better success on the big screen, where he expanded his repertoire to include diverse roles in projects ranging from the Ben Stiller romantic comedy remake "The Heartbreak Kid" (2007) to playing Press Secretary Ari Fleischer in Oliver Stone's presidential biopic "W." (2008). As a writer, director and star, he launched the medical spoof "Childrens Hospital" (Adult Swim, 2010-16) even as he continued taking on more prominent acting roles in mainstream features like the raucous comic fantasy "Hot Tub Time Machine" (2010).

Rob Corddry was born on Feb. 4, 1971 and raised in Weymouth, MA alongside younger brother and fellow future actor, Nate. The eldest brother began blazing a trail towards show business at U-Mass Amherst, where he became active in the drama department before graduating with a degree in English. He moved to New York City in 1994, eventually landing a tour with the National Shakespeare Company, though he was also active in sketch comedy and long-form improv at the famed Upright Citizens Brigade Theater, where he performed with groups Naked Babies and Third Rail Comedy.

He made his television debut as a player in the UCB-created sketch show, "Upright Citizens Brigade" (Comedy Central, 1998-2000) and went on to land his breakthrough as a correspondent for the Emmy-winning satirical news program, "The Daily Show" (Comedy Central, 1996- ) in 2002 under the watchful eye of the show's quick-witted host, Jon Stewart. In keeping with "The Daily Show" tradition of correspondents doing broad caricatures of real journalists, Corddry developed an on-air persona as an insufferably sarcastic know-it-all. Alongside colleagues Stephen Colbert, Samantha Bee and Ed Helms, Corddry tenuously walked the line between realism and self-parody, routinely victimizing hapless interviewees during his segments.

As the actor's reputation grew through his participation on the perennial favorite , Corddry landed small character roles in films like "Old School" (2003) and episodes of landmark offbeat sitcoms "Arrested Development" (Fox, 2003-06) and "Curb Your Enthusiasm" (HBO, 2005- ). In August 2006, he bid "The Daily Show" goodbye and popped up in minor roles in mainstream comedies like "Unaccompanied Minors" (2006) and the Matthew McConaughey vehicle "Failure to Launch" (2006), in which he had a small part as a gun salesman.

He sprouted an uncharacteristic moustache for a small role in the Will Ferrell and John Heder sports comedy, "Blades of Glory" (2007), and landed a meatier supporting role in the romantic comedy "The Heartbreak Kid" (2007) as the best friend of Ben Stiller. Not long after, Corddry signed a sitcom deal with Fox and in March of 2007, debuted as a primetime headliner on Seth McFarlane's "The Winner" (Fox, 2007). The mid-season replacement about a 32-year-old man-child still living at home with his parents in New York received mixed reviews and was cancelled after only six episodes.

Undaunted, Corddry resumed his big screen character roles by appearing in Ferrell's subsequent sports comedy "Semi-Pro" (2008), then played a daft Homeland Security agent in the stoner sequel, "Harold and Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay" (2008). In a surprising shift away from comedy, Corddry was tapped by Oliver Stone to portray White House Press Secretary Ari Fleisher in the filmmaker's George Bush biopic "W" (2008). Corddry continued to squeeze more mileage out of his suit and tie with roles as a small-town mayor in the indie comedy "Patriotville" (2008) and as a negligent elementary school principal under investigation by an unlikely Eva Longoria in "Lower Learning" (2008).

At this point in his career, Corddry took matters into his own hands as the creator, writer and co-star of the outrageous medical drama lampoon "Childrens Hospital" (Adult Swim, 2010- ). Having started as five-minute webisodes on TheWB.com in 2008, it extended to 15-minute shorts with its move to cable television two years later, where the outlandish staff of Childrens Hospital included the disabled Chief of Staff (Megan Mullally), the romantically-challenged Dr. Cat Black (Lake Bell) who dates a young boy stricken with advanced aging disease, and Dr. Blake Downs (Corddry), a physician whose clown-painted face often invokes more terror than laughter.

In and around his duties at Childrens Hospital, Corddry picked up co-starring roles in such features as "The Winning Season" (2009), a comedy of redemption and basketball featuring Sam Rockwell and Emma Roberts. The following year, he was teamed with John Cusack, Craig Robinson and Clark Duke for the sci-fi comedy "Hot Tub Time Machine" (2010) as one of four friends who - via a mystical Jacuzzi and a potent Russian energy drink - return to their glory days of 1986. Despite the ridiculousness of its premise, the farce enjoyed a respectable run at the box office, giving Corddry his first leading role in a hit film.

Corddry then joined "Daily Show" alum Ed Helms for the endearing comedy "Cedar Rapids" (2011), about a naïve insurance salesman (Helms) who comes out of his shell during an eventful weekend convention. In "Butter" (2012), the comedic actor played it relatively straight as the adoptive father of a young orphan (Yara Shahidi) embroiled in a fierce butter carving competition with an ambitious local housewife (Jennifer Garner), while the comedy-drama "Seeking a Friend for the End of the World" (2012) found him playing a misguided family man attempting drink his way through the Apocalypse. Also that year, he picked up a recurring role as Jane's (Eliza Coupe) crass, misogynistic boss, the "Car Czar," on the ensemble sitcom "Happy Endings" (ABC, 2011-13).

By Bryce P. Coleman